Printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder including filler material at blanket ends

ABSTRACT

A printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press includes a dimensionally stable support plate, and a printing blanket fastened to the outside of the support plate. A leading end of the support plate and a trailing end of the support plate are fastened to the blanket cylinder by the provision of an angled or beveled, printing blanket free end. A filler is provided between the beveled end of the support plate and the inner edge of the leading and trailing ends of the printing blanket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. national phase, under 35 USC 371, ofPCT/DE2003/003942, filed Nov. 27, 2003; published as WO 2004/054808 A1on Jul. 1, 2004 and claiming priority to DE 102 58 975.5, filed Dec. 16,2002; to DE 103 07 382.5, filed Feb. 21, 2003; to DE 103 07 383.3 filedFeb. 21, 2003; to DE 103 29 270.5, filed Jun. 30, 2003 and to DE 103 54437.2 filed Nov. 21, 2003, the disclosures of which are expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a printing blanket unit or assemblyfor a printing blanket cylinder, as well as methods for producing such aprinting blanket. The assembly includes a support plate and a blanket.The support plate has beveled or angled ends. A filler is used at ajuncture of the beveled ends and the blanket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Printing blanket assemblies or units are fastened on a printing blanketcylinder of a printing press and are used in offset printing fortransferring the print image from the forme cylinder to the web ofmaterial to be imprinted. To provide the required mechanical strengthfor the printing blanket unit, a support plate which is made, forexample, of sheet steel or sheet aluminum, is employed. A printingblanket, which can be configured in the manner of a rubber blanket, forexample, is fastened on the outside of the support plate. Folded orangled plate end legs, which are free of the printing blanket, areprovided at the leading end and/or the trailing end of the supportplate. These legs are used for fixing the printing blanket unit in placeon the printing blanket cylinder. These legs can be inserted, forexample, into a slit which is provided in the printing blanket cylinderand can be fixed in place in the slit to secure the blanket assembly tothe blanket cylinder.

A problem in connection with known printing blanket units is that theprinting blanket does not cover the support plate seamlessly. A gapfrequently remains between the leading and the trailing ends of theprinting blanket and the support plate. No printing ink can betransferred, in the area of the gap, to the web of material to beimprinted. Furthermore, the print image is of reduced quality at theedges of the printing blanket in the direction toward the gap.Therefore, several solutions are known in the prior art, by the use ofwhich solutions the disadvantages caused by the provision of a gapbetween the ends of the printing blanket have attempted to be avoided.

A printing blanket unit is known from DE 195 47 917 A1. The two ends ofthe printing blanket overlap each other with a positive connection inorder to reduce the gap that typically is located between the ends ofthe printing blanket.

A printing blanket unit is known from DE 195 21 645 A1. A slide isarranged between the two legs of the support plate. In this prior artarrangement, the outward pointing end of the slide is connected with afiller element. The gap between the ends of the printing blanket isclosed by the filler element.

A printing blanket unit is known from DE 195 43 584 C1. In this devicethe printing blanket is put together from a plurality of layers. A toplayer of the plurality of layers covers the front areas of the layersunderneath it and in this way forms a protrusion, by the use of whichprotrusion the gap at the ends is reduced.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,298 discloses a printing blanket unit with a supportplate, whose ends are folded. The printing blanket, which is arranged onthe support plate, is sealed at the front.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,550 discloses a printing blanket unit with aprinting blanket arranged on a support plate. A support element isarranged in the groove in the support plate, which support elementsupports the projecting end of the printing blanket.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,525,003 shows a device for producing a printing blanketunit.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,093 discloses a printing plate with a reinforced endand an associated device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is directed to the provision of aprinting blanket unit for a printing blanket cylinder, as well asmethods for producing such a printing blanket unit.

In accordance with the present invention, this object is attained by theprovision of a printing blanket unit for use on a blanket cylinder of arotary printing press. The printing blanket unit includes adimensionally stable support plate and a resilient printing blanketsupported by the support plate and fastened to its exterior. The supportplate has at least one angled end leg that is used to attach the supportplate to the blanket cylinder. This angled leg is not covered by theprinting blanket. A filler material is arranged between the juncture ofthe start of the angled end of the support plate and the end of theprinting blanket.

An advantage of the blanket printing unit or assembly, in accordancewith the present invention, lies, in particular in that the inside edgeof the leading and/or trailing end of the printing blanket protrudes atsome distance past the fold line which defines the start of theunderlying support plate of the associated leg. The gap between the endsof the printing blanket, when the printing blanket unit is placed on theblanket cylinder, is reduced by this protrusion. It is easily within thescope of the subject invention to select the length of the protrusion tobe sufficient so that in the installed position, the two ends of theprinting blanket come into contact with each other. Because of theprovision of the fold in the support plate, the protruding ends of theprinting blanket are not supported from below by the support plate. Inthe past, no pressure, between the printing blanket and the web ofmaterial to be imprinted, could be built up in the area of the printingblanket protruding ends without further assistance. To solve thisproblem it is proposed, in accordance with the present invention, toarrange a support element between the fold of the support plate and theinside of the printing blanket for the purpose of supporting theprotrusion. As a result, any pressure forces are then transferred to thesupport plate via the support element, so that the printed image can beprinted properly on the web of material to be imprinted by use of thearea of the protruding ends of the printing blanket. It is basicallywithout importance whether a support element for supporting theprotrusion is provided at both ends of the printing blanket or only atone end of the printing blanket.

A multitude of fastening solutions are possible for use in fastening thesupport elements on the printing blanket unit. In accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, the support elements arefastened on the support plate in the area of the plate fold and/or onthe inside of the printing blanket by a material-to-material contact,such as in particular by being glued on or by being applied byvulcanization.

The support elements can be produced in a particularly simple manner ifthey are made using the same material as is used for the printingblanket, such as, for example, of rubber, or of the same material as thesupport plate, such as, for example, of metal. It is then conceivable,in particular, to form the support elements as one piece together withthe printing blanket or with the support plate.

When producing the support elements, it is moreover within the scope ofthe present invention for the support elements to be connected, by amaterial-to-material contact, with a sub-structure layer which may bearranged between the printing blanket and the support plate, whichconnection, in this way, continuously envelops the support plate,starting at the two folds. By the use of the sub-structure layer, it ispossible to additionally affect the properties of the printing blanketunit, in particular with respect to hardness and true running. Rubber ora similar elastomeric material are particularly suitable as the materialfor use in producing the sub-structure layer.

Printing blanket units, which have a minimal gap, can be produced, in arelatively uncomplicated way, by using the production method inaccordance with the present invention. A processing cylinder can beutilized for performing the present method, whose shape, and inparticular whose diameter and whose fastening devices, for use infastening the support plate, substantially correspond to the actualprinting blanket cylinder with which the printing blanket unit orassembly will later be used in the printing press. The initiallyun-layered support plate is first fastened on this processing cylinderby utilization of the support plate's folded end legs and, in this way,takes up a position which corresponds to the subsequent position it willtake, following the mounting on the printing blanket cylinder.

Subsequent to the fastening of the support plate on the processingcylinder, the gap which exists between the opposingly located folds orfold areas of the support plate, is filled with a support material, suchas, for example, a curable rubber material. The two folds or fold areasof the support plate are effectively connected by material-to-materialcontact in this way.

Following this filling of the support plate gap area, the printingblanket is fastened on the support plate in such a way, such as, forexample, by being glued on or by being applied by vulcanization, thatone end of the printing blanket protrudes some distance past the foldarea of the associated leg. In this way, the protrusion of the end ofthe printing blanket then rests on the support material and is supportedfrom below by the support material.

To be able to ultimately take the printing blanket unit off theprocessing cylinder, the support material is cut to form two supportelements. This cutting can be done either prior to, or after thefastening of the printing blanket on the support plate. This can takeplace, for example, in that the support material can be cut through bythe use of a sharp cutting instrument. In this way, the two lateralfaces of the oppositely located support elements, which are formed bythe separating process, have a shape wherein, following the mounting ofthe printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder, the supportelements, having the complementary shape, are located at a shortdistance opposite each other or come into contact with each other.

One preferred method variation is employed to be able not only to assurethe optimal support of the protrusion at the end of the printingblanket, but also to minimize, or to eliminate, any gap between the twoends of the printing blanket. With this method, the customary printingblankets are used which blankets, prior to the application of theprinting blanket to the support plate, have a flat shape, such as, forexample, a rectangular shape. By applying the printing blanket to thesupport plate, a gap is formed between the two facing lateral facessituated at the oppositely located ends of the printing blanket whenemploying these flat printing blankets. This gap is filled with asuitable sealing material, such as, for example, a curable rubbermaterial. In order to be able to remove the printing blanket unit fromthe processing cylinder, the sealing material, after it has beensufficiently cured, is then cut through. The lateral faces of theoppositely located support elements, which are formed by the cuttingprocess, thus have a shape wherein, following the mounting of theprinting blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder, the ends of theprinting blanket, with this complementary shape, are located spaced at ashort distance opposite each other, or may come into contact with eachother.

In order to achieve the best possible true running of the blanketcylinder, it is particularly advantageous if the sealing material isshaped, such as, for example by being ground, prior to or after beingcut in order to form a cylindrical circumferential surface.

The sealing material and the support material are preferably cutsimultaneously in order to assure an optimal positive connection betweenthe oppositely located ends of the printing blanket unit, when mountingthe printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder.

Alternatively to the use of flat printing blankets, the use of hose-likeor sleeve-like printing blankets is also within the scope of the presentinvention. Because of their hose-like or sleeve-like shape, with theseprinting blankets the connection of the ends is omitted, such as isrequired in connection with the previously discussed, preferred methodvariation for use in connection with flat printing blankets, foreliminating the gap between the ends of the printing blanket. Forexample, for fastening the hose-like or sleeve-like printing blankets,it is conceivable that, following the arrangement of the printingblanket on the underlying support plate, a suitable adhesive is pressedinto the gap between the printing blanket and the support plate.Channels or recesses in the support plate can be provided for this.Alternatively, the use of adhesive materials, which can be cured by theuse of temperature or by light radiation is also conceivable, so thatthe hose-like or sleeve-like printing blanket can initially be pulledonto the support plate and thereafter the adhesive, which is applied tothe support plate, is cured by temperature or light radiation. As soonas the hose-like printing blanket has been fixed in place on the supportplate, it can be cut by a suitable cutting process in order to be ableto now remove the support plate from the processing cylinder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in thedrawings and will be described in what follows.

Shown are in:

FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of a printing blanket unit, inaccordance with the present invention, in a first production phase, in

FIG. 2, the printing blanket unit shown in FIG. 1, in a secondproduction phase, in

FIG. 3, the printing blanket unit shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and in athird production phase, in

FIG. 4, a second preferred embodiment of a printing blanket unit inaccordance with the present invention, in

FIG. 5, a third preferred embodiment of a printing blanket unit in apartial cross sectional view, in

FIGS. 6 and 7, first and second embodiments of a production method forproducing a printing blanket unit in accordance with the presentinvention, in

FIG. 8, a preferred embodiment of the printing blanket unit made inaccordance with the production method of FIG. 7 and with thickened ends,in

FIGS. 9 to 11, preferred embodiments of further production methods for aprinting blanket unit, and in

FIG. 12, a preferred embodiment of the printing blanket unit inaccordance with FIG. 3 with thickened ends.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A printing blanket unit in accordance with the present invention and asrepresented at 01, 17, or 41 in FIG. 1 to FIG. 12, and whose thicknessd01, as seen in FIG. 4 is, for example, 1.6 mm, consists of adimensionally stable support plate 02, 18 or 42, respectively, of athickness d02, as seen in FIG. 4, of approximately 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, andof a printing blanket 03, 19 or 43, respectively, fastened on thesupport plate 02, 18, 42. The support plate 02, 18 or 42 is made ofmetal, such as, for example, sheet steel or sheet aluminum. The printingblanket 03, 19 or 43 can be embodied, for example, in the manner of arubber blanket 03, 19, 43 respectively, and in particular can befabricated several layers of different materials.

The leading and trailing printing blanket unit securement legs 04 and06, 21 and 22, or 44 and 46 respectively, which are free of and are notoverlaid by the printing blanket, are folded downward at the leading andat the trailing end of the support plate 02, 18, 42 by the use of afolding machine which is not shown, so that the now angled or foldedlegs 04, 06, 21, 22, 44, 46 can later be used for fastening the printingblanket unit on a printing blanket cylinder 05, as shown in FIG. 4. Thefolded leg 06, 21, 46, which is situated at the plate leading end,together with a center element 07, 35, 47 of the support plate 02, 18,42, respectively, following it, forms an acute opening angle α06, inparticular of 30 to 60 degrees, and preferably of 40 to 50 degrees. Thefolded leg 04, 22, 44 which is situated at the plate trailing end,together with the adjoining support plate 02, 18, 42, has an openingangle α04 of 45 to 150 degrees, and in particular of 80 to 100 degrees.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle size α04 is from120 to 150 degrees. The center element 07, 35, 47 of the support plate02, 18, 42 respectively, which is completely covered by the printingblanket 03, 19, 43, respectively and which is facing toward the outside,extends between the legs 04 06, 21, 22, or 44 and 46, respectively. Foldlines or fold zones 08 and 09, or 27, 28, or 48 and 49 are located at,and extend at the transition between the center element 07, 35, 47 onthe one side and the legs 04, 22, 44, or 06, 21, 46 on the other side.

In the printing blanket unit production phase, which is represented inFIG. 1, the support plate 06, as well as the printing blanket 03, areboth configured as being approximately flat, so that the printingblanket 03 can be fastened on the support plate 02 free of tension anddeformation. To this end, the printing blanket 03 can be glued and/orcan be vulcanized to the support plate 02 using any suitable process.

The legs 04 and 06, which are free of the printing blanket 03, arefolded downward in a folding machine, in a procedure which is notspecifically depicted, and the result is shown in FIG. 2.

The folds 08 and 09 or fold lines or fold zones are produced in thefolding machine in such a way that the result is that each of the twoends 11 and 12 of the printing blanket 03 protrude some distance pasttheir respective one of the folds 08 and 09. A resultant space betweenthe protruding ends 11 and 12 of the printing blanket 03 on the onehand, and the support plate 02 on the other, is filled with a suitablefiller material 13, 14, which filler material 13, 14 is also called asupport element 13 and 14. The filler material 13 and 14 can beprovided, for example, by applying a curable rubber material, forexample.

The filler material 13, 14 is preferably deformable and/or flowablewhile it is being applied.

A portion of the resultant printing blanket unit 01 is shown, in itsinstalled position, in FIG. 3. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that in theinstalled position, the two support plate legs 04 and 06 extend atcomplementary angles to, and parallel to each other, so that they can befastened together in a slit in a printing cylinder, which is notspecifically represented. Because of the protrusion of the ends 11 and12 of the printing blanket 03. A width of the resultant gap 16 betweenthe ends 11 and 12 of the printing blanket 03 is minimized. It ispossible, for example, to minimize the width of the gap 16 to a width ofless than 0.5 mm.

The distance between the folds or fold lines or fold zones 08, 09substantially corresponds to the distance a01 of the opening in thecylinder surface and is less than 3 mm. In particular, the opening a01is less than 2.0 mm.

Because of the support of the protruding ends 11 and 12 of the printingblanket 03 by the filler material 13 and 14, a suitable print transferfrom the printing blanket 03 to a web of material to be imprinted isachieved in this area defined by the blanket protruding ends 11 and 12.

As represented in FIG. 4, a distance a02 between the oppositely locatedends 11, 12 of the printing blanket 03 is 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, andpreferably is 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment,the distance a02 is 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, and in particular is 0.5 mm.

The fold 08 of the trailing end leg 04 has a radius R of 0.6 mm to 1.2mm, and in particular of 0.8 mm, as shown in FIG. 4.

The fold 09 of the leading end leg 06 has a radius R of 0.3 mm to 0.7mm, and in particular of 0.5 mm, also as shown in FIG. 4.

A length L13, L14 of each respective support element 13, 14 in thecircumferential direction is 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm, and in particular is from0.1 mm to 1.3 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, alength L13, L14 of each of the support elements 13, 14 is 0.7 mm.

As represented in FIG. 4, the filler material 13, 14 can be formed indifferent shapes. For example, the filler material 13 has an acuteangle, while the filler material 14 is shaped generally right-angled.

The measurements described for FIG. 4 can be substantially transferredto all of the embodiments of the present invention, which arerepresented in all of the drawing figures.

A third embodiment of a printing blanket unit, in accordance with thepresent invention, is represented in FIG. 5. This printing blanket unitalso has a support plate 18 of sheet steel and a printing blanket 19 ofrubber. To produce the printing blanket unit, first the support plate 18is fastened, by utilization of its legs 21 and 22, on a processingcylinder, whose shape corresponds to the shape of the printing blanketcylinder in the printing press on which the printing blanket unit isultimately to be fastened. Following this placement, a sealing element23 is inserted into the gap 26 between the legs 21 and 22 and is usedfor closing the gap 26 at the bottom of the gap 26. Thereafter, a liquidelastomer material is applied to the outside of the support plate 18 insuch a way that the support plate 18 is enclosed in a continuoussub-structure layer 24 of this liquid elastomer. In the area of theoppositely located legs 21 and 22 of the support plate, thesub-structure layer 24 fills the gap 26 which is the space between theoppositely located folds or fold lines or fold zones 27 and 28.

Subsequently, a suitable printing blanket 19 is fastened on thesub-structure layer 24, by being, for example, applied by vulcanization.The gap 26, which continues between the ends 31 and 32 of the printingblanket 19, is closed by filler material, here also called sealingmaterial 29, which, for example, may be a curable elastomeric material,and which is thereafter ground at the outside for producing a uniformcylindrical outer surface.

At the end of the process, the sealing material 29 and the sub-structurelayer 24 are cut through along a cutting line 33, as seen in FIG. 5, sothat the printing blanket unit can be removed from the processingcylinder and can subsequently be mounted on a printing blanket cylinder.Separate support elements 34 and 36 are formed by the separation of thesub-structure layer 24, which separate support elements 34 and 36support the respective ends 31 and 32 of the printing blanket 19 frombelow. In the course of mounting the printing blanket unit on a printingblanket cylinder, the lateral faces of the support elements 34 and 36,which lateral faces were formed by the cut along the cutting line 33,can come into a positively connected contact with each other.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show preferred embodiments of a different production methodfor the production of a printing blanket unit similar in structure tothe one depicted in FIG. 3.

As previously described, at least one end of the support plate 42 isfolded. The support plate 42 is now placed on a base body 53 of a device41 which device 41 is provided with at least one slide 54, 56, whichslide or slides 54, 56 will be described in what follows. At least oneof the slides 54, 56 is movable with respect to the base body 53 and/orwith respect to the other slide 56, 54. The geometry of this base body53 is matched to the geometry of the support plate 42. Both slides 54,56 of the device 41 are initially open. The support plate 42 is nowadjusted to the required cylinder circumference or to the requiredfolding measure by the use of an adjustment mechanism 57. Both slides54, 56 are closed. The filler material 51, 52 is subsequently poured oris pressed into the gap in a positively connected manner. Depending onthe shape of the slides 54, 56, a flat sub-structure, such as one whichis flush with the support plate 42, or a raised sub-structure isattained. The slides 54, 56 act as molds 54, 56 for the filler material51, 52. In this case, at least one of the filler materials 51, 52protrudes in the radial direction past a virtual extension V42 of theexterior of the support plate 42. Now the filler material 51, 52 ispulled or is ground to be flush by the use of a further device 58.Subsequently the printing blanket 43 is applied to the support plate 42and to the filler material 51, 52. This can be performed with the aid ofa stop 59, which can be placed against an end of the printing blanket43, as seen in FIG. 8. At the end of the production process, the slides54, 56 are opened and the printing blanket unit is vulcanized. Thisvulcanization can be performed inside the device 41, and can also beaccomplished outside of the device 41.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a particularly preferred production method formaking a further printing blanket unit. This embodiment makes itpossible to close or to reinforce a groove of a cylinder.

In the method shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the filler material 51, 52extends in a virtual extension V43 of the exterior of the printingblanket 43 in the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the circumferentialdirection of the printing blanket 43. In this case, the filler material51, 52 can protrude, in the longitudinal direction, past one end 61, 62,as well as past both ends 61, 62 of the printing blanket 43. In theradial direction, the filler material 51, 52 can protrude at leastpartially past the virtual extension V43 of the exterior of the printingblanket 43, as may be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11.

This embodiment is accomplished by the following production method. Aspreviously described, at least one end of the support plate 42 isfolded. The printing blanket 43 is then applied to the support plate 42.In this case, it is unimportant whether or not the printing blanket 43has already been vulcanized. Subsequently, the slides 54, 56 are closed.Now, the filler material 51, 52, for use in closing and reinforcing agroove, is pressed or is poured in. Depending on how the slide 54, 56 isconfigured, a corresponding shape of the filler material 51, 52 isattained. Thereafter, the filler material 51, 52 is shaped to the exactsize. Depending on the needs, the vulcanization process can subsequentlytake place either inside of or outside of the device 41.

The two above-described production methods thus differ in that, in theembodiments in accordance with FIGS. 6 to 8, the filler material 51, 52is arranged between the support plate 42 and the printing blanket 43,wherein the filler material 51, 52 is first arranged on the supportplate 42 and then the printing blanket 43 is put in place. In theembodiment in accordance with FIGS. 9 to 11, the support plate 42 isconnected with the printing blanket 43, and the filler material 51, 52is then introduced. An exterior surface of the filler material 51, 52,which is arranged on the exterior in the radial direction, is notcovered by the printing blanket 43.

As represented in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12, the printing blanket unit 41 hasat least one end 61 or 62 of a greater thickness than an area which islocated between the two printing blanket ends 61 or 62, so that theouter surface of the printing blanket unit, in the area of this end 61or 62, protrudes at least partially past the virtual extension V43 ofthe exterior of the printing blanket 43. In particular, this outersurface is embodied in a wedge shape. For thickening the end, the fillermaterial 51, 52 is arranged at the ends of the printing blanket 43. InFIGS. 8 and 12, an undercoating of the printing blanket at 43 can beseen, while in FIG. 11, a filling of the printing blanket 43 isrepresented.

The embodiment with thickened ends in FIG. 8, in the state where it ismounted on the cylinder, correspondingly also applies to FIG. 11.

In the state where the printing blanket unit is mounted on the printingblanket cylinder, this thickened end, or both thickened ends extend in aradial direction past a virtual extension of the adjoining rubberblanket. An effective radius of the mounted rubber blanket is thusgreater in the area of the ends. The area located inbetween is very muchlarger, and in particular is at least ten times greater, than the areaof the ends. The thickening preferably extends in the circumferentialdirection by less than 10 mm, and in particular it extends less than 5mm.

Accordingly, in the state where the printing blanket unit is mounted onthe printing blanket cylinder, a radius R11 R12, as seen in FIG. 12 ofthe cylinder, in relation to the exterior of the printing blanket 03, orin relation to the outside of the filler material 13, 14, is greater, atleast in the area of an end of the printing blanket unit, than a radiusR03 of the cylinder, in relation to the exterior of the printingblanket, in the area between the two ends.

In accordance with all of the disclosed methods, the filler material 13,14, 29, 51, 52 is introduced in a flowable, deformable state at least toone end of the two ends of the printing blanket unit. The fillermaterial 13, 14, 29, 51, 52 is arranged, in the longitudinal direction,at least partially on a fold 08, 09, 27, 28, 48, 49 of the folded leg04, 06, 21, 22, 44, 46 of the support plate 03, 18, 42 and protrudes, inthe circumferential direction, past the fold 08, 09, 27, 28, 48, 49.After its application, the outside of the filler material 13, 14, 29,51, 52 can be shaped to an appropriate exact size. Preferably, thefiller material 13, 14, 29, 51, 52 can be embodied as one piece. Thematerials of the printing blanket 03, 04 and of the filler material 13,14, 29, 51, 52 can be identical or they can be different.

As represented in FIG. 10, in a particularly preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the length L51, L52 of the filler material 51, 52 ismore than 0.1 mm, and in particular is more than 0.4 mm. However, thislength is less than 2 mm, and in particular is less than 5 mm.

For producing printing blanket units, with printing blanket units whichinitially lie stretched out, either preferably flat or slightly arched,the filler material 51, 52, or the support elements 13, 14 or are isintroduced at ends of the printing blanket unit facing away from eachother, except for the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5.

A device 41 consisting of several parts, can be employed to produce theprinting blanket unit, wherein at least two elements of the device 41,such as, for example, the slides 54, 56, are movable in relation to eachother. In connection with this, it is possible, for example for use inproducing thickened ends of the printing blanket unit, that at least thesurface of the printing blanket, which is resting against the fillermaterial 51, 52 protrudes, in the direction of the exterior of theprinting blanket unit, at least partially past the virtual extension V43of the exterior of the printing blanket 43, or that at least the surfaceof the printing blanket resting against the filler material 51, 52protrudes in the direction of the exterior of the printing blanket unitat least partially past the virtual extension V42 of the exterior of thesupport plate 42 with the printing blanket 43 not yet applied to thesupport plate 42. The spacing between the two elements, for examplebetween the two slides 54, 56, should be adjustable in the longitudinaldirection of the printing blanket unit. At least one surface of one ofthe two elements, such as the slides 54, 56, rests against the fillermaterial 51, 52, and at least one surface can rest against a folded leg44, 46 of the support plate 42. At least the surface resting against thefiller material 51, 52 can protrude, in the direction of the exterior ofthe printing blanket unit, at least partially past the virtual extensionV43 of the exterior of the printing blanket 43. Alternatively, at leastthe surface of the printing blanket resting against the filler material51, 52 can protrude in the direction of the exterior of the printingblanket unit at least partially past the virtual extension V42 of theexterior of the support plate 42 with the printing blanket 43 not yetapplied to the support plate 42. At least one other device 58, such as,for example, a tool 58 for processing at least the outside of the fillermaterial 51, 52, can be arranged on the device 41.

At least one support 53, such as, for example, the base body 53, shouldbe arranged in the device 41 for use in receiving the support plate 42.The inside of the support plate 42 rests on this support 53.

The support 53 can consist of several elements. At least one element ofthe support 53 works together with a leading leg 46 of the support plate42. Another element of the support 53 works with the trailing leg 44 ofthe support plate 42.

Preferably one element of the support 53 can change its position withrespect to the other element of the support 53.

The device 41 can also have elements for folding the ends of the supportplate 42. It can thus be embodied as a folding machine.

Embodiments wherein the support plate has only one folded leg are notspecifically represented. In these cases, the filler material can bearranged on the fold of the one folded leg and on the other, non-foldedend of the support plate.

The second end of the printing blanket unit is then not arranged in anygroove. Instead it is positioned only on the exterior of the barrel ofthe printing blanket cylinder.

It applies to all of the above-described printing blanket units andmethods, that the support or filler material 13, 14, 34, 36, 51, 52 isarranged, or can be arranged on the printing blanket unit, prior to themounting of the printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder.

The support or filler material 13, 14, 34, 36, 51, 52, can also be used,for example, for supporting a counter-cylinder in the radial direction,because the printing blanket cylinder is in contact with acounter-cylinder, such as, for example, a forme cylinder or a platecylinder. The forme cylinder has at least one groove, in which at leastone associated printing plate is fastened. In this case, the fillermaterial 13, 14, 34, 36, 51, 52 works together with a printing plate ofthe counter-cylinder in that they mutually support each other.

While preferred embodiments of a printing blanket assembly for a blanketcylinder and methods for producing a printing blanket, in accordancewith the present invention have been set forth fully and completelyhereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that variouschanges in, for example, the specific sizes of the printing blanketunits, the specific structures used to retain them on the surface of ablanket or other cylinder, and the like could be made without departingfrom the true spirit and scope of the present invention which isaccordingly to be limited only by the following claims.

1. A printing blanket unit adapted for use with a printing blanketcylinder of a rotary printing press comprising: a dimensionally stablesupport plate including an exterior surface; an angled leading end legon a leading end of said support plate; an angled trailing end leg on atrailing end of said support plate; a leading end fold on said supportplate between said leading end leg and said exterior surface; a trailingend fold on said support plate between said trailing end leg and saidexterior surface; a printing blanket on said exterior surface and havingblanket leading and trailing ends with inside end surfaces situatedadjacent said leading and trailing end folds; and a filler material atsaid leading and trailing blanket ends between said leading and trailingend folds and said leading and trailing blanket inside end surfaces,said filler material acting as a support element wherein, in aninstalled position of said printing blanket unit on the printing blanketcylinder, said leading end filler material and said trailing end fillermaterial, which are provided with lateral facing surfaces of acomplimentary shape, are adjacent each other at a spacing distance ofbetween 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm.
 2. The printing blanket unit of claim 1wherein at least one of said printing blanket leading and trailinginside end surfaces protrudes beyond an associated one of said leadingand trailing end folds and wherein said filler material supports said atleast one protruding inside end surface.
 3. The printing blanket unit ofclaim 1 wherein a radius of said printing blanket unit in said installedposition on the printing blanket cylinder at an exterior surface of saidprinting blanket is equal at said leading and trailing blanket ends andintermediate said leading and trailing blanket ends.
 4. The printingblanket unit of claim 1 wherein in said installed position of saidprinting blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder, said leading endfiller material and said trailing end filler material are unconnectedwith each other and with an opposite end of said printing blanket unit.5. The printing blanket unit of claim 4 wherein in said installedposition, said leading end filler material and said trailing end fillermaterial are out of contact with each other.
 6. The printing blanketunit of claim 1 wherein said spacing distance is between 0.3 mm and 0.7mm.
 7. The printing unit blanket of claim 6 wherein said spacingdistance is between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.
 8. The printing unit blanket ofclaim 7 wherein said spacing distance is 0.5 mm.
 9. The printing unitblanket of claim 1 wherein said blanket leading and trailing ends areproduced from a workpiece by cutting.
 10. The printing unit blanket ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of said leading and trailing end folds hasa radius of between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm.
 11. The printing blanket unit ofclaim 10 wherein said radius is 0.5 mm.
 12. The printing blanket unit ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of said leading and trailing end folds hasa radius of between 0.6 mm and 1.2 mm.
 13. The printing blanket unit ofclaim 12 wherein said radius is 0.8 mm.
 14. The printing blanket unit ofclaim 1 wherein a length of each of said filler materials, in acircumferential direction of the printing blanket cylinder is between0.4 mm and 1.0 mm.
 15. The printing blanket unit of claim 1 wherein alength of each of said filler materials, in a circumferential directionof the printing blanket cylinder is between 0.1 mm to 1.3 mm.
 16. Theprinting blanket unit of claim 15 wherein said length is 0.7 mm.
 17. Theprinting blanket unit of claim 1 wherein said filler material extends ina radial direction of the printing blanket cylinder past a verticalextension of said support plate exterior surface.
 18. The printingblanket unit of claim 1 wherein said leading and trailing end folds areenclosed by said filler material.
 19. The printing blanket unit of claim1 wherein said support plate is steel.
 20. The printing blanket unit ofclaim 1 wherein said printing blanket is multi-layered.
 21. The printingblanket of claim 1 wherein said printing blanket is a first material andsaid filler material is a second material different from said firstmaterial.
 22. The printing blanket unit of claim 1 wherein said printingblanket is a first material and said filler material is said firstmaterial.
 23. The printing blanket unit of claim 1 wherein said printingblanket is situated on top of said filler material.
 24. A printingblanket unit adapted for use with a printing blanket cylinder of arotary printing press comprising: a dimensionally stable support plateincluding an exterior surface; an angled leading end leg on a leadingend of said support plate; an angled trailing end leg on a trailing endof said support plate; a leading end fold on said support plate betweensaid leading end leg and said exterior surface; a trailing end fold onsaid support plate between said trailing end leg and said exteriorsurface; a printing blanket on said exterior surface and having blanketleading and trailing ends with inside end surfaces situated adjacentsaid leading and trailing end folds; and a filler material at saidleading and trailing blanket ends between said leading and trailing endfolds and said leading and trailing blanket inside end surfaces, saidfiller material acting as a support element, said printing blankethaving at least one of said leading and trailing blanket ends of afirst, end thickness and a central area located between said leading andtrailing ends of a second, central area thickness, said first thicknessbeing greater than said second thickness, whereby an exterior of saidprinting blanket unit at said end with said first end thickness extendsin a radial direction of said printing blanket cylinder past a virtualextension of said central area of said printing blanket unit.
 25. Aprinting blanket unit adapted for use with a printing blanket cylinderof a rotary printing press comprising: a dimensionally stable supportplate including an exterior surface; an angled leading end leg on aleading end of said support plate; an angled trailing end leg on atrailing end of said support plate; a leading end fold on said supportplate between said leading end leg and said exterior surface; a trailingend fold on said support plate between said trailing end leg and saidexterior surface; a printing blanket on said exterior surface and havingblanket leading and trailing ends with inside end surfaces situatedadjacent said leading and trailing end folds; and a filler material atsaid leading and trailing blanket ends between said leading and trailingend folds and said leading and trailing blanket inside end surfaces,said filler material acting as a support element, said filler materialbeings secured to said printing blanket prior to the mounting of saidprinting blanket on said support plate.